Installation for trimming mushrooms and other vegetables

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to a machine for cutting up mushrooms, first the roots and then the stem, this machine comprising a feed funnel, a vibrating table bringing the mushrooms in lines, feet first, to gripping components, the latter taking the mushrooms and bringing them above the cutting components, the different mushroom pieces being distributed separately into recuperation ducts.

United States Patent [191 Blanchaud et a1.

1 1 INSTALLATION FOR TRIMMING MUSHROOMS AND OTHER VEGETABLES [76] lnventorsi Maurice Blanchaud; Edgard Bournier, both of (Maine et Loire) Chace, France [22] Filed: Oct. 15, 1970 [21] App]. No.: 80,837

[ 1 Foreign Application Priority Data Oct. 20, 1969 France ..6935893 May 5,1970 France ..7019635 June 16, 1969 France ..7()22169 Sept/28, 1969 France ..7035041 [52] US. Cl. ..99/637 [51 Int. Cl ..A23n 15/04, B26d 3/00 [58] Field of Search 146/78 R, 81 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Hughes ..146/81 R Norris ..l46/78 R i is! [451 Apr. 17, 1973 3,537,495 11/1970 Pearson A A "146/81 R 2,978,003 4/1961 Bcnckamm ....146/81 R 3,463,212 8/1969 Morgan ....146/81 R 3,596,693 8/1971 Baker ....l46/78 R 2,383,228 8/1945 Thompson.... ...146/8l R 2,621,692 12/1952 Urschel ....l46/81 R 2,638,949 5/1953 Blevins ....l46/81 R 3,396,766 8/1968 Perkins ..146/81 R FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,937,393 7/1969 Germany ..l46/81 R Primary Examiner- Willie G. Abercrombie Att0rneySpens1ey, Horn & Lubitz [57] ABSTRACT This invention relates to a machine for cutting up mushrooms, first the roots and then the stem, this machine comprising a feed funnel, a vibrating table bringing the mushrooms in lines, feet first, to gripping components, the latter taking the mushrooms and bringing them above the cutting components, the dif ferent mushroom pieces being distributed separately into recuperation ducts.

9 Claims, 17 Drawing; Figures Patented April 17, 1973 3,727,542

8 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.6

Patented April 17, 1973 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Avuzwrwas MOP/(E Bum/(#400 [USA/90' [fe W 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented April 17, 1973 Patented April 17, 1973 3,727,542

8 Sheets-SheetB INSTALLATION FOR TRIMMING MUSHROOMS AND OTHER YEGETABLES This invention relates to an installation for automatically trimming mushrooms, particularly cultivated mushrooms, for canning as well as for presentation for sale as fresh destalked mushroom caps.

When they have just been gathered, mushrooms have I a soil covered root that it is advisable to remove. This is trimming mushrooms and other vegetables, wherein said mushrooms are distributed into a feed funnel and on leaving it are automatically placed vertically by vibrating components so that their head faces components which grip them and take them near cutting tools to remove their root and cut theirstalk to the desired length.

An installation in accordance with the invention is shown as a non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a general view of the installation.

FIG. 2 shows in detail the components that move the mushrooms from the third vibrating table towards the gripping components.

FIG. 3 is a section along AA in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a section along B-B in FIG. 2.

FIGS. 5 to 8 show the positioning of components for transferring the mushrooms during the different moves.

FIGS. 9 to show the different operating phases of the gripping components.

FIG. 16 shows in detail the second vibrating table.

FIG. 17 shows in detail the third vibrating table, which positions samples in relation to i the gripping components.

As shown in FIG. 1, the mushrooms 1 are previously graded according to cap diameter and are placed loose in a feed funnel 2. This funnel leads to a first flat table 3 subjected to vibratory movement. This first vibrating table spreads the mushrooms out evenly when they fall from the feed funnel.

The mushrooms move forward from the first vibrating table 3 towards the second vibrating table 4, shown in detail in FIG. 16. This table is fitted with an assembly of channels forming grooves 5, parallel to each other, stretching from the rear part, corresponding to where the mushrooms fall from the first vibrating table, to the front part, for distributing onto a third vibrating table whose construction details are stated later.

These channels are graduated in depth from the rear to the front part; this effect separates the mushrooms into lines and already positions them with their root either towards the front or towards the back.

Each of the vibrating tables is slightly tilted, which also helps the mushrooms to topple over.

The mushrooms then fall into the components of a third vibrating table, shown in FIG. 17.

This third vibrating table is made up of a group of ducts 6 whose bases are slightly rounded or V-shaped in section. Each duct corresponds to each groove 5 on the second vibrating table 4; these ducts are parallel to each other and situated in the axis of advancement of the sheet of mushrooms to be treated. Their rear part comprises an opening 62 into which the mushrooms 1 fall after arriving at the end of the grooves S on the second vibrating table.

The top of the ducts is closed by a casing 8 whose rear part 8, is raised and serves as a deflector to send the mushrooms back towards the opening 7 should they have been thrown beyond this opening.

The other end of the casing 8 is bent round at 8 so as to leave at the duct outlets an opening only equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the mushrooms being treated.

At least one orifice I0 is made in the rear part of each closed duct 9, through which a jet of compressed air is distributed. The group of ducts for distributing compressed air is connected up to a collector l 1. p

In FIG. 17, a part of the duct has been cut away to show the orifices 10.

The mushroom coming from moving table 4 may be in one of three positions:

, cap at the top, root downwards; in this case, the jet of compressed air moves the root forwards and the mushroom is in the desired position.

cap downwards, root upwards; in this case, when the mushroom cap falls into the bottom of each duct, the jet of air acts on the root and lies it down facing towards the front.

There again, the mushroom isin the desired position.

In the third instance, the mushroomfalls flat, stalk towards the rear; in this case, the jet of air acts on the shape of the mushroom head and causes it to topple over.

In the case where, for some reason, the mushroom admitted into the duct does not arrive at the exit orifice in the desired position, the bent round part 8 of the upper casing will cause it to be positioned stem forwards by acting as a deflector channeling the current of air from orifices 10 in the rear part of the ducts.

On leaving each duct, the mushrooms are consequently positioned stem forwards, cap backwards. They then fall between fingers 12 between which the clearance is greater than the diameter of the root but less than that of the cap; the portion of the fingers in I contact with the underside of the mushroom cap is slightly triangular in order to reduce rubbing of the mushroom caps as they move along.

The fingers 12 are inserted into tubes 12, welded along the sides of the ducts.

The section comprising the ducts and the fingers attached to them is subjected to a vibrating action; the section forms the third vibrating table preceding arrival of the mushrooms into transfer devices.

Each of the three vibrating tables has an independent vibration system, so that it is possible to vary the intensity of the vibrations acting directly on the advance of the sheet of mushrooms from one: table in relationto another.

FIGS. 2 to 8 show the parts for transferring the mushrooms, from the end of the fingers forming part of the third vibrating table to the gripping components.

The mushrooms are thus positioned vertically on the fingers 12, the cap held horizontally, the stems between the fingers 12 forming part of the third vibrating table.

On the front of the third vibrating table there is a bar 13 supporting on its upper part portions of fingers l4 which are long enough to keep the mushroom caps in position.

These portions are in the extensions of the fingers attached to the ducts, the fingers and these ducts forming the third vibrating table.

The section of the vibrating table level with the fingers is shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with the section AA in FIG. 2, whilst the section of the portion of fingers 14 on the bar 13 is shown in FIG. 4, in accordance with the'section B-B in FIG. 2.

The height of the bar 13 is approximately twice that of the third vibrating table, and is mounted on a jack 15. This jack can lower the bar 13 and the mushrooms inserted into parts 14 supported by the bar.

Moreover, FIGS. 3 and 4 show the mushrooms 1 in their portions of fingers 14.

Another support 16, also bearing other portions of fingers 17 on its upper part, is positioned below the suction cups 20 for taking hold of the mushrooms 1 to be trimmed. A set of blades 18, of which only one is shown in FIG. 2, is set back from the bar 13. This blade 18 is actioned by ajack 19.

The blade includes a pusher l8 which acts on the cap of each mushroom in the portions of fingers 17 fixed on the support 16.

The device functions as follows:

When the third table is subjected to a vibratory motion, the mushrooms are at the end of the fingers on the third vibrating table and pass from this table into the portions of fingers 14; this action occurs all along the width of the vibrating table, governed by the number of ducts making up the said table.

The mushrooms are all set in line by a stop 21 which places them on the same level; this stop is mounted on two pivots which allow it to turn forwards about 20.

When the bar 13 returns to its highest point, it brings the stop to its vertical position at the same time; when the bar 13 descends, the stop turns 20 forwards under the action of the spiral spring, so as to prevent mushrooms remaining hanging blocked against the stop by the thrust of the line of mushrooms on the vibrating fingers. At this moment, the jack 15 is set in action and, by retracting, draws along the bar 13 and the portions of fingers 14, as well as the mushrooms held by them. The bar 13 is then positioned as shown in FIG. 5.

At this moment, the jack 19 is extended and pushes the blade 18.

As shown in FIG. 6, the mushroom is moved from the portions of fingers 14 on bar 13, towards other portions of fingers 17 mounted on the support 16.

When the mushroom l is placed in position on the portions of fingers 17 on support 16, the jack 19 retracts, drawing the blade 18 which reassumes a postion as illustrated in FIG. 7.

At this moment, the bar 13 rises again, pushed by the jack 15; the third vibrating table 4 starts moving again to bring another mushroom 1 onto the portion of groove 14 fixed on the bar 13.

In the portions of fingers 17, the mushroom l is taken up by the gripping component 20 (a hollow suction cup), which carries it along as illustrated in FIG. 8.

The gripping components are shown in FIGS. 9 to 15.

When the mushrooms are brought onto the supports 16, they are positioned under the gripping component,

To remove the mushroom 1 from each portion of fin-' gers 17, the jack 27 is retracted, lifting with it the tube 23 by means of the stop 25.

When the mushroom is completely removed from the portions of fingers 17 (see FIG. 8), a main jack 28, extended when the mushrooms are taken, retracts to bring the gripping device above a set of knives described later.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the jack 27 is again extended, so leaving the tube 23 free. At this moment, the mushroom 1 comes to rest on a plate 29.

The bar 26 completely frees the stop 25, in this way letting the mushroom rest on the plate 29 by its stem, whatever the length of the stem (see FIG. 12).

The tube 23 is then blocked in this position by an additional jack 30. The plate 29 moves out of the way and the two cutting blades 31, each controlled by a jack, then enter into action, said blades cutting through the part of the mushroom stem 1 including the roots, this part falling into a tube 32 (see FIG. 13).

When the part of the stem including the roots has been cut off, the additional jack 30 frees the tube 23 and the jack 27 then rises to its top position, as shown in FIG. 10. At this moment, a small jack 33 enters into action, moving forward a stop 34 on which, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the bar 26 comes to rest.

In this opening movement, causing the bar 26 to descend, the tubes moving with this bar through their stops 25 again bring the mushrooms level with the knife blades 31, and the rest of the stem is cut off at a level predetermined by the position of the stop 34 on jack 33.

The tube 32 forms part of a partitioned group, the partitions comprising flaps to guide the different parts out from the mushrooms. Thus, in FIG. 13, the waste bits fall directly into the first tube 32, whence they are removed.

In FIG. 14, a flap 35 is turned down so as to seal the tube 32 for recuperating waste and to steer the severed stems into a tube 36 whence they are likewise removed.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, the mushroom heads are separated from the suction cups 20 when the vacuum is broken in the tubes 23.

Previously, a second flap 37 has been turned down so as to seal tube 36 and the mushroom heads slide over the first flap 35 sealing tube 32, over the second flap 37 sealing tube 36, and fall into tube 38, whence they are likewise removed.

This cycle ends with the main jack 28 returning to its extended position, the gripping components again being above the end of the grooves.

The mushrooms then follow the circuit. However, the mushrooms not taken up by the gripping components are remomoved into a funnel 39 leading into a pipe 40 connected to a centrifugal ventilator 41. The mushrooms collected in the pipe 40 follow its path and are brought back into the feed funnel 2 to be distributed on the first vibrating table 3 (see FIG. 1

It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described and shown above; from this it is possible to forsee other methods and embodiments which in no way exceed the scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for trimming mushrooms which include a root, stem and cap, said apparatus comprising:

a. a feed funnel;

b. a vibrating table in juxtaposition with said feed funnel, said vibrating table having a plurality of parallel channels on the top surface thereof;

c. alignment means for aligning the mushroom cap and stem in a predetermined manner substantially adjacent said vibrating table, said alignment means including a plurality of ducts, each duct being aligned with one of the channels of said vibrating table; 7

. vacuum means for securing the cap of a mushroom in juxtaposition with each of said ducts, said vacuum means including means for moving the mushrooms from said alignment means; and

e. cutting blades in cooperative relationship with said means for moving whereby said vacuum means secures said mushrooms and moves same to said blades for severing the stems and caps of the mushrooms.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said alignment means comprises:

a. a vibrating member upon which is disposed said plurality of ducts, said ducts being parallel to each other;

b. extension members depending outwardly from said vibrating members parallel and interstitial with said ducts whereby the mushrooms are supported on said extension members when emitted from said ducts; and

c. a vertically movable member in spaced relation to said extension members and having receiving surfaces in cooperative relationship with each of said extension members for receiving the mushrooms.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said alignment means includes a source of compressed air aligned with said ducts for moving the mushrooms along said ducts to said extension members.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 including a holding member having a plurality of parallel receiving surfaces in alignment with the receiving surfaces of said vertically movable member and means for moving the mushrooms from said vertically movable member to said holding member when said vertically movable member is moved to a lower vertical position.

5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said vacuum means comprises a plurality of suction cups adapted to be secured to the caps of the mushrooms, said suction cups being in alignment with the receiving surfaces of said holding member.

6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the parallel channels of said vibrating table are graduated in depth from the end in juxtapositon with said feed funnel to the end substantially adjacent said alignment means.

7. An apparatus for trimming mushrooms having a cap, stem and root comprising:

a. a feed funnel for holding the mushrooms to be trimmed; b. a first vibrating member in uxtapositlon to said feed funnel;

c. a second vibrating member substantially adjacent to and vertically lower than said first vibrating member, said second vibrating member having a plurality of channels parallel to each other end being graduated in depth;

. a third vibrating member vertically lower than said second vibrating member and having a plurality of parallel ducts aligned with and substantially adjacent the channels of said second vibrating member and extended fingers depending outwardly from said third vibrating member opposite said second vibrating member, said extended fingers being parallel and intersticial with said ducts whereby the mushrooms are supported on said extended fingers when emitted from said ducts;

e. a vertically movable member in spaced relation to said extended fingers and having receiving surfaces in cooperative relationship with said extended fingers for receiving the mushrooms;

f. a holding member having a plurality of parallel receiving surfaces in alignment with the receiving surfaces of said vertically movable member when said vertically movable member is in a lower vertical position;

g. moving means for moving the mushrooms from said vertically movable member to said holding member when said vertically movable member is moved to the lower vertical position;

h. vacuum means for securing the cap ofa mushroom in juxtaposition with each of the receiving surfaces of said holding member, said vacuum means including means for moving the mushroom from the receiving surfaces of said holding member; and

i. cutting blades in cooperative relationship with said vacuum means whereby the mushrooms are moved by said vacuum means to said cutting blades whereat the stems and caps are severed.

8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said third vibrating member includes a source of compressed air aligned with each of said ducts for moving mushrooms along said ducts to said extending fingers.

9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said vacuum means comprises a plurality of suction cups adapted to be secured to the caps of the mushrooms, said suction cups being in alignment with the receiving surfaces of said holding member. 

1. An apparatus for trimming mushrooms which include a root, stem and cap, said apparatus comprising: a. a feed funnel; b. a vibrating table in juxtaposition with said feed funnel, said vibrating table having a plurality of parallel channels on the top surface thereof; c. alignment means for aligning the mushroom cap and stem in a predetermined manner substantially adjacent said vibrating table, said alignment means including a plurality of ducts, each duct being aligned with one of the channels of said vibrating table; d. vacuum means for securing the cap of a mushroom in juxtaposition with each of said ducts, said vacuum means including means for moving the mushrooms from said alignment means; and e. cutting blades in cooperative relationship with said means for moving whereby said vacuum means secures said mushrooms and moves same to said blades for severing the stems and caps of the mushrooms.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said alignment means comprises: a. a vibrating member upon which is disposed said plurality of ducts, said ducts being parallel to each other; b. extension members depending outwardly from said vibrating members parallel and interstitial with said ducts whereby the mushrooms are supported on said extension members when emitted from said ducts; and c. a vertically movable member in spaced relation to said extension members and having receiving surfaces in cooperative relationship with each of said extension members for Receiving the mushrooms.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said alignment means includes a source of compressed air aligned with said ducts for moving the mushrooms along said ducts to said extension members.
 4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 including a holding member having a plurality of parallel receiving surfaces in alignment with the receiving surfaces of said vertically movable member and means for moving the mushrooms from said vertically movable member to said holding member when said vertically movable member is moved to a lower vertical position.
 5. An apparatus as defined in claim 4 wherein said vacuum means comprises a plurality of suction cups adapted to be secured to the caps of the mushrooms, said suction cups being in alignment with the receiving surfaces of said holding member.
 6. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the parallel channels of said vibrating table are graduated in depth from the end in juxtapositon with said feed funnel to the end substantially adjacent said alignment means.
 7. An apparatus for trimming mushrooms having a cap, stem and root comprising: a. a feed funnel for holding the mushrooms to be trimmed; b. a first vibrating member in juxtaposition to said feed funnel; c. a second vibrating member substantially adjacent to and vertically lower than said first vibrating member, said second vibrating member having a plurality of channels parallel to each other and being graduated in depth; d. a third vibrating member vertically lower than said second vibrating member and having a plurality of parallel ducts aligned with and substantially adjacent the channels of said second vibrating member and extended fingers depending outwardly from said third vibrating member opposite said second vibrating member, said extended fingers being parallel and intersticial with said ducts whereby the mushrooms are supported on said extended fingers when emitted from said ducts; e. a vertically movable member in spaced relation to said extended fingers and having receiving surfaces in cooperative relationship with said extended fingers for receiving the mushrooms; f. a holding member having a plurality of parallel receiving surfaces in alignment with the receiving surfaces of said vertically movable member when said vertically movable member is in a lower vertical position; g. moving means for moving the mushrooms from said vertically movable member to said holding member when said vertically movable member is moved to the lower vertical position; h. vacuum means for securing the cap of a mushroom in juxtaposition with each of the receiving surfaces of said holding member, said vacuum means including means for moving the mushroom from the receiving surfaces of said holding member; and i. cutting blades in cooperative relationship with said vacuum means whereby the mushrooms are moved by said vacuum means to said cutting blades whereat the stems and caps are severed.
 8. An apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein said third vibrating member includes a source of compressed air aligned with each of said ducts for moving mushrooms along said ducts to said extending fingers.
 9. An apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein said vacuum means comprises a plurality of suction cups adapted to be secured to the caps of the mushrooms, said suction cups being in alignment with the receiving surfaces of said holding member. 